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Sunday, October 25, 2015

ACE prexy condemns killing of Loreto Mayor Dario
Otaza, son

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) – “We always want peace
as we promote sustainable development in our region, but this group of
combatants against the government is continuously causing harm, chaos, and
deaths. This lawless group is blatantly doing devious acts that hinder progress
in our region. And the recent killing incident of Mayor Dario Otaza and his son
Daryl is a manifestation that the perpetrators knows no age, boundaries and
law, however, they will never win in the battle.”

This was the statement of ACE president and
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Caraga regional director Achilles
Gerard Bravo in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
Caraga.

Mayor Otaza was a personal friend of director
Bravo and a development partner of ACE. Bravo said the first Serbisyo Caravan
in region 13, a unique and new approach in the direct delivery of public
service was held in Loreto, Agusan del Sur.

Bravo said the death of Mayor Dario Otaza and his
son is a big loss to his family, friends and his constituents at Loreto.
"A great public servant has died in Agusan del Sur," he said.

The said official further relayed that Mayor
Otaza, who was known as Datu Malampuson by the Manobo tribe in Agusan del Sur
was also a former New People’s Army (NPA) who later on surrendered after
realizing that the armed struggle is not the solution to the country’s problem.
As a mayor and member of the Provincial Tribal Council in the said province, he
liberated his town from the lawless group’s exploitation and manipulation. He
was also successful in encouraging the 246 NPA leaders and members, majority of
whom are Lumads, to surrender to the government and return to their normal and
peaceful lives.

“Mayor Otaza was a dignified man. He knew his life
was at risk for fighting against the lawless group in his area of
responsibility but he was not threatened, instead, he continued to do what is
right for his people. Justice must be served to all lumads who have been killed
especially Mayor Otaza and his son by lawless groups said Bravo.

Even with his death, the government will always do
what is right, just and fair to its people. The government will also continue
to pursue peace and development in the area.

It was also learned that the remains of Mayor
Otaza and his son are now in Loreto, Agusan del Sur for public viewing and will
be returned in Butuan by October 27, 2015 in time with the conduct of
Anti-Violence Assembly by the tribal chieftains and other stakeholders. The
interment of mayor Otaza and son will be on October 28, 2015 at the Uraya
Cemetery. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)